New diagnosis

KatieR 1 hour ago

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I am new here and wondered if anyone had any advice for treatment journey I’m about to embark on? I see my oncologist tomorrow following my diagnosis just over a week ago following routine screening as I’m 52- scary as no symptoms so mixed feeling as I’m lucky it’s been caught early but feel apprehensive and anxious about what’s ahead.

Kareno62 23 minutes ago

Hi KatieR and a warm welcome to the board. Yes it is scary but bowel cancer is notoriously slow growing and very treatable. Depending on whereabouts the tumour is in the bowel will affect your treatment - you may go straight to surgery or, often with rectal tumours, a course of chemoradiotherapy to shrink the tumour as much as possible before surgery.

Ive attached a link to a booklet that I was given at my first meeting which may help with terminology, questions to ask etc. Take someone with you if you can and a pen and paper - there will be a lot to take in so 2 paints of ears are often better than one.

https://bcuk.adidocdn.dev/Publications/Bowel_Cancer_UK_Your_Pathway_V10.1.pdf

Once you have a treatment plan in place then things will honestly feel a bit better. We’re all at different stages of treatment and recovery on here and happy to help and support you through yours

Please let us know how you get on?

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm